Positive Placements: Helping Young People Get Back Into Training And Work

Published on: 27 Jun, 2017
Updated on: 27 Jun, 2017

By Louisa Magnussen

Are you aged 16-25 and tired of being unemployed? Do you know someone who is?

YMCA Positive Placements recruits and trains volunteer mentors from the local community to support young people on their journey towards education, employment or training.

The initiative is a YMCA DownsLink Group project running at its Guildford, Crawley, Horsham, Mid Sussex and Brighton & Hove centres that also works with local organisations to create opportunities and placements for young people.

In a supportive and professional relationship, skilled mentors help young people to overcome issues including anxiety, low confidence, lack of experience and skills, lack of qualifications and issues with mental health. Ultimately helping build confidence, improve time keeping, get a job or access educational opportunities.

Positive Placements is completely voluntary for both parties. When a referral form is received a representative of the organisation meets with the young person to see what they need support with and if Positive Placements is right for them, before matching them with a mentor.

During regular meetings, usually once a week, at the YMCA office or a public place, mentor and mentee work together to identify the young person’s goals for the future and work towards achieving those goals.

If you would like to apply to be a mentor or a mentee or have a placement opportunity to offer a young person, contact Sarah Kinsey-Learoyd at sarah.learoyd@ymcadlg.org or 07894 405 569.